Actor Anju Ghosh Joins BJP, Says She was Born in Bengal after Questions Raised over Her Nationality

Kolkata: The Bengal BJP on Wednesday inducted Anju Ghosh — a well-known Bengali film actress of yesteryear into the party — who worked in the Indian as well as the Bangladesh film industry from 1984 to 2000.

Earlier on Wednesday, there was a controversy over Ghosh’s nationality as a section of media described her as a Bangladeshi actress, wondering how she could join a political party like the BJP in India.

Speaking exclusively to News18, Ghosh said, “I was born in Bengal and worked in Bengali film industry and as well as in Bangladesh. I have an Indian passport and a voter ID card. In this election, I exercised my voting rights. It’s sad to know that people are raising questions over my nationality.”

Ghosh said she had lost her parents and had been staying in Kolkata’s Salt Lake area for the last three decades. “I joined the BJP because I want to serve the people. I don’t know why they are now raising questions over my nationality,” she said. “I am feeling threatened.”

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday evening, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, “Anju Ghosh expressed her desire to work for the world’s biggest party and we welcome her in the BJP.”

He later handed to her a party flag and a membership card.

Ghosh’s film ‘Beder Meye Josna’ (Josna, the gypsy daughter) in 1989 is the highest-grossing movie in Bangladeshi film history.

She also acted in “Chondon Diper Raj Konna”, “Bedenir Prem”, “Garial Bhai”, “Kumari Maa” and “Rajar Meye Parul, Gariber Sansar”.

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, two actors from Bangladesh landed in controversy after the ruling Trinamool Congress engaged them in campaigning for the party in the state. While Ferdous Ahmed participated in road shows for Trinamool Lok Sabha candidate Kanhailal Agarwal from Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, Gazi Noor also took part in road shows for party candidate Saugata Roy in Dum Dum area.

BJP West Bengal vice president Jay Prakash Majumdar had then lodged a complaint with the Election Commission. “This act is in complete violation of the terms of visa and yet another case of a foreigner actively influencing the electoral process of India’s highest law making body. This is a gross violation of the very basics of democratic structure,” he had said.

Ahmed was later issued a notice by the Ministry of Home of Affairs directing him to leave the country. The MHA had also cancelled his business visa and blacklisted him.